Perimeter security surveillance system

ABSTRACT

An integrated system is disclosed that provides robust and uninterrupted security over a broad range of applications that features a security assembly having multiple sensory functionality for detection, identification, and analysis of a potential intruder seeking to gain unauthorized access to a secure facility. In one embodiment, the security system integrates multiple sensor systems for the detection and identification subterranean as well as terrestrial breach.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is being filed concurrently with co-pending U.S. patent applications, each of which claims the benefit for priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/886,905 filed Jan. 26, 2007, and each describing aspects of the invention described herein, including GIMBALED MOUNT SYSTEM FOR SATELLITES (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/020,269), NETWORKED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND SEGMENT ADDRESSABLE COMMUNICATIONS ASSEMBLY BOX, CABLE AND CONTROLLER, and NETWORKED COMMUNICATIONS AND EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS, and are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Conventional security systems focus on generally a singular point of entry or method to which they address or block. Such systems are prone to a multitude of other methods that exploit the limited barriers or lack any ability to detect entry. Perimeter fences alone, for instance, serve as barriers that an intruder can overcome by scaling it to gain unauthorized entry. Improved barriers are typically expensive, particularly over large scales, and protect against only to few general methods of breach.

Barrier-type systems do not identify or locate the advancing intruder. Moreover, conventional security systems are typically reactive to a breach rather than proactively monitoring protected areas in efforts to mitigate the opportunity of a successful breach and subsequent loss. Once an intruder has breached the barrier and entered physical location, even fewer systems can identify the intruder or where the breach occurred, thereby if it is a cut fence line, the breach point will remain unsecured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of the scope of the invention as described and claimed. An integrated system is disclosed that provides robust and uninterrupted security over a broad range of applications, that can be integrated with multiple sensor systems for the detection and identification of terrestrial, and optionally, subterranean intrusions, and that can transfer data to a remote location for analysis distant from any risk in the event of a security breach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the security assembly disclosed herein;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment disclosed herein;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation in plan view showing the embodiments of the activated security assemblies of FIGS. 1-3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary embodiments and features and are described herein, modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

To overcome the difficulties associated with conventional security systems that focus on singular points of entry or methods to which they address or block and that are prone to exploitation, various embodiments are illustrated herein of a security assembly and integrated system that provides methods of detection, identification and onsite or remote analysis in order to thwart, mitigate, or render unsuccessful any breach.

Referring FIG. 1, an embodiment of security assembly 10 is shown. Security assembly 10 may be located along a perimeter of a secured facility, home, building, airport, or any other location desired to be protected. Assembly 10 has an extended body 12 having an elevated end 14 and a second end or embedded end 16 that is anchored into the ground, and positioned upright along a length sufficient to enable adequate coverage and view from the elevated end 14. Assembly 10 is generally formed of a structurally resilient tube, such as that made from heavy steel or any like material or mixture of materials or compositions. One The extended body or tube 12 has a cavity 18 extending therethrough within which camera systems, radar systems, and communications system to create an integrated security system. In addition, the system may include ground sensing components to further provide a integrated security system.

The elevated end includes a low-distortion, optically transparent housing 20, preferably dome-shaped and having an elliptical cross-section, as shown in FIG. 1, for various components such as a camera system 22. The housing 20 is desirably made from a ballistically-resilient impact-resistant material, such as bullet-resistant fiberglass, to prevent attempts to render the device nonfunctional. The camera system 22 may include visual and extended visual systems having various functionalities, and those such as pan, tilt and/or zoom features with sufficient resolution across extensive distances, are particularly preferred. Also contemplated is a camera system including or in communication via communication means 24 or antenna 28 with a component having image and motion analysis functionality.

A consideration in the selection of a camera system is one of having broad spectrum sensitivity range, or of multiple systems that are useable in combination, for instance, a camera system for visible light and an auxiliary system for other spectra. A preferred device is closed circuit camera with sensitivity to infrared and/or ultraviolet spectra.

The camera system of each security system provides a visual detection zone. Assemblies 10 are contemplated to be placed so that their detection zones overlap adjacent systems to form a secure perimeter, as shown graphically in FIG. 5. Adjacent systems are contemplated to be functionally integrated so an imbedded software function can collect and process imagery, preferably at a remote location on-site or off-site, acquired among adjacent systems. Means of transferring and processing data are contemplated as described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ Data may be relayed by satellite (not shown) directly or via onsite or remote location them independent of any local support, supply or communications infrastructure that may be attacked or otherwise compromised.

Referring further to FIG. 1, optionally included within housing 20 is contemplated antenna 28 to communicate information between the security system and a remote location. In one embodiment, antenna 28 is an omni-directional fractal antenna cable of carrying ultra wide band (UWB) frequencies under various standards such as IEEE 802.15.3. The antenna 28 and transceiver 32 are configured for connection routed through communication means 24 to the bottom of the assembly 10 via a suitable cable system 30 to a junction box 31, such as that disclosed in the priority application or in co-filed copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______.

It is contemplated that transceiver module 32, disclosed in co-filed copending unassigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, is active and within range of other adjacent transceivers for wireless communication to convey data to one or more remote locations that is preferably secure, such as another assembly 10, or to an onsite location, or to remote location, to warn of possible breach and/or for data processing, for example, image and/or video analysis and the like. It is particularly desirable if three assemblies are used in order to triangulate an intruder's position. It is further contemplated that the junction box 31 and the transceiver 32 are protected against vandalism and natural deterioration to avoid compromised security, reduce maintenance costs, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each assembly 10 optionally includes at least one, and preferably an array of, photovoltaic device 34 for the collection and conversion of solar energy into electrical energy. In one embodiment, the devices include a dual array of solar panels preferably placed near the elevated end of the assembly to avoid tampering, and preferably 14 watt and have a protective crack resistant top plastic covering. The device 34 is connected via power regulation circuitry located within the assembly and connected to at least one battery 36 within the assembly. The device 34 along with internal storage batteries within the assembly supply adequate power to the attached electronics that, should the entire system components including the communications system be either not used, or be damaged, each assembly with its attached electronics can remain operational for more than 24 hours.

Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment is for alerting a potential intruder and may be referred to as a beacon 50, wherein housing 22 includes a visible-light emitting source 38 capable of alerting an approaching intruder that it is being monitored, which optionally also includes a camera system as described previously. Light emission by the source, preferably low-power consuming LED, may be configured in manner to suggest to the intruder a response will or will not be generated. A configuration that no reaction will be made may be sufficient to attract the intruder along a particular path where action may be desirable. This embodiment is preferably used in conjunction with other embodiments to form a secure zone 52 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Ground movement may also be monitored by the security system. In one embodiment, seismic waves, and particularly P-waves and S-waves generated by surface or subterranean movement is detected by detector 40 to expand the security around or near a protected zone. A preferred method of P-wave and S-wave detection is using a detector 40 referred to herein as the Q-Box manufactured by Qtronics Manufacturing Ltd (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada). This function is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The Q-Box is self contained and primarily only requires a transport layer to communicate its discoveries back to an end analysis system. The seismic wave detector may be used in conjunction with the other components of the security assembly 10, such as the radar and camera features, and connected to a junction box at the base of each security system, with its sensors (not shown) planted in the ground area outside the base to detect any ground disturbance, for instance, by an approaching vehicle or intruder, or an attempt to tunnel under the secure fenced area.

The security system assembly is secured within the ground, preferably in a stabilizing and/or relatively structurally secure environment 42 such as concrete and the like, and preferably at least 18 inches below the surface. The anchor depth is contemplated to be sufficient hold the system in the ground and also for adequate function of the desired components associated with the system. It is contemplated that the junction box 31 may be contained with environment 42 with securable access door 43 provided to guard against vandalism and natural deterioration to avoid compromised security, reduce maintenance costs, and the like.

A conduit-type access 30 tube routes necessary cables through the concrete from the base of the security system assembly to the adjacent buried junction box and underground cable system provided in addition to a wireless system. The conduit is preferably waterproof and/or preferably enclosed within a waterproof enclosure capable of holding the junction box and may include appropriate entry and exit points (not shown) for communication with associated components or other security systems for use with the security system assembly disclosed herein. It is contemplated that the assembly capable of alerting an intruder may be used in combination with the security assembly with camera system and spaced thereinbetween and conduits are for connection of the assemblies.

Prior to stabilizing the security system assembly in position it necessary to implant in the ground the necessary sensors for the ground sensing system. The act of having the weight of the concrete and security system assembly on top of the implanted sensors further increases their sensitivity to unnatural triggering sounds or waves detected in the ground being detected.

Security personnel may be differentiated from intruders by the use of locator badges worn by the personnel. Such badges may be augmented for biometric personal identification by use of an imbedded finger print reader as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Should the integrated security system temporally loose track of a specific tab or want to confirm the holder's identity, then a specific command sequence sent via the security system from the onsite or remote information management and processing location.

While certain features and embodiments of the invention have been described, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein. Further, the steps of the disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps, without departing from the principles of the invention.

It is intended therefore, that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their full scope of equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A security system assembly for detecting intrusive activity comprising: an extended body having an elevated end and an embedded end and a cavity, wherein the cavity is continuous through the extended body including through the elevated end and the embedded end, and wherein the embedded end of the extended body is anchored into the ground via a structurally secure environment; a transparent housing for releasable attachment to the elevated end for forming an extended cavity within said extended body; a camera system housed within said transparent housing for the visual monitoring of intrusive activity and connected via communication means to other locations; at least one device for the collection and conversion of solar energy into electricity for releasable and adjustable attachment to the outer surface of the body; at least one battery for receiving and storing energy received by at least one solar energy device, wherein the battery is located within the cavity of the extended body; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting intruder-related information and located within the cavity of the extended body; wherein intrusive activity information is received through the camera system and relayed via wired communications means or wirelessly transmitted to remote locations for monitoring and analysis.
 2. The security system assembly of claim 1 further comprising a seismic wave detector having an adjustable sensitivity for identifying intrusive activity.
 3. The security system assembly of claim 2, wherein the seismic wave detector is housed in the cavity and having sensors extending underground outside of the assembly.
 4. The security system assembly of claim 2, wherein the seismic wave detector is configured to independently communicate seismic information to a remote receiver.
 5. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein the transparent housing is made from a ballistically resilient material.
 6. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein the transceiver transmits acquired information to a remote location.
 7. The security system assembly of claim 6, wherein the information is transmitted via satellite uplink.
 8. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further comprises a light source visible to a potential intruder.
 9. The security system assembly of claim 8, wherein light is emitted in response to movement of an intruder.
 10. The security system assembly of claim 8, where the light is emitted in response to the movement of an intruder that generates seismic vibrations.
 11. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein a plurality of assemblies are placed about the perimeter of a physical location.
 12. The security system assembly of claim 11, wherein each assembly of the plurality transmits acquired information to at least one other assembly and at least one other assembly receives the transmitted information.
 13. The security system assembly of claim 12, wherein the plurality is used in combination with a physical barrier.
 14. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein said battery receives power from a remote power source.
 15. The security system assembly of claim 1, wherein the transceiver emits and receives radio waves for the detection of an intruder.
 16. The security system assembly of claim 1, further comprising an antenna.
 17. The security system assembly of claim 16, wherein the antenna is an omni-directional fractal antenna cable for ultra wide band frequencies.
 18. A security system for detecting intrusive activity, the system comprising: an extended body having an elevated end and an embedded end and a cavity, wherein the cavity is continuous through the extended body including through the elevated end and the embedded end, and wherein the embedded end of the extended body is anchored into the ground via a structurally secure environment; a transparent housing for releasable attachment to the elevated end for forming an extended cavity within said extended body; a camera system housed within said transparent housing for the visual monitoring of intrusive activity and connected via communication means to other locations; at least one device for the collection and conversion of solar energy into electricity for releasable and adjustable attachment to the outer surface of the body; at least one battery for receiving and storing energy received by at least one solar energy device, wherein the battery is located within the cavity of the extended body; a transceiver for receiving and transmitting intruder-related information and located within the cavity of the extended body, and wherein the transceiver emits and receives radio waves for detection of an intruder; a seismic wave detector within the cavity of the extended body having sensors extending underground outside of the assembly for identifying intrusive activity; a light source for responding to the movement of an intruder that generates seismic vibrations detected by the seismic wave detector; and wherein intrusive activity information is received through the camera system and relayed via wired communications means or wirelessly transmitted to remote locations for monitoring and analysis. 